RAS question
The Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) was developed by:
Correct answer: (B) CPCB.
The Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index was developed by the Central Pollution Control Board to assess environmental quality in polluted industrial areas.
Explanation
CEPI is a CPCB-developed index used to characterise environmental quality in industrial areas where clusters of industries have created pollution pressure. CPCB developed the index to produce an index value for the quality of the environment, with monitoring carried out in Polluted Industrial Areas through recognised environmental laboratories. CEPI uses air, water and land pollution indicators, and a score above 70 marks an area as critically polluted. CPCB identified 43 industrial clusters in 17 States with CEPI scores of 70 and above as Critically Polluted Areas.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) WHO did not develop CEPI for India's polluted industrial areas; CPCB developed the index for environmental quality assessment in industrial pollution clusters.
- (C) UNESCO's cultural and educational mandate is unrelated to CEPI, which belongs to CPCB's industrial-pollution assessment work.
- (D) ISRO is a space agency, while CEPI is a CPCB index for assessing environmental quality in industrial clusters.
Concept
Environmental governance tools for pollution assessment require clear institutional responsibility under CPCB. RAS preparation links indices, thresholds and implementing agencies with static environment theory and current regulatory practice.